My High School Nerd Rival - Chapter 3

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 3
She was at a loss for words.
Not that she should care.
Or should she? And oddly enough, in a positive direction.
Every time he pulled a foolish stunt like this, her Conduct Score dropped, and that affected her chances in the Excellent Student Selection.
“No, I don’t mind. So please, would you treasure that honesty of yours?”
Ivey smiled faintly, and Cyrus studied her reaction in silence before leaving.
Buzz.
Ivey’s phone alarm sounded.
[Grade reports are now available for viewing.]
* * *
A short time later, Ivey sat upright in a waiting chair outside the Counselor’s Office to request a grade correction.
Several upperclassmen sat next to her in a row, making the scene look oddly like waiting for a doctor’s appointment.
Including the fact that everyone’s expression was gloomy.
Shortly, the counselor’s door opened.
All eyes in the waiting area turned toward it.
A third-year student rushed out with a face streaked with tears, and the air in the waiting area grew heavier still.
Bennett, who followed her out, pressed her forehead for a moment and sighed, then called the next student in a weary voice.
“Ivey Underwood.”
Ivey rose from her seat, clutching her bag.
“You must have been waiting a while, haven’t you?”
As Ivey entered the counselor’s office, Bennett greeted her formally, and Ivey shook her head.
“No, I understand this isn’t easy. You must be tired as well.”
“Thank you for understanding, Ivey.”
Bennett gestured to a seat, then sat across from her. Her tablet soon loaded Ivey’s grade report.
“Excellent marks. You did very well.”
The teacher offered praise first.
Ivey agreed with that assessment. Perfect scores across all subjects was something she took pride in.
“I’m sure you came to ask about your Conduct Score. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes.”
Bennett’s stylus tapped that score on the tablet.
[-20 points]
Red minus sign.
No matter how she thought about it, the score made no sense.
“Ivey. As you know, this category usually maxes out at 10 points.”
“Yes, I know. Only each Dormitory Prefect can exceptionally receive a maximum of 20 points.”
That was precisely why Ivey had taken on the Dormitory Prefect role. She didn’t want anyone else to take that score away from her.
“But ‘-20 points’? There must be some error. Isn’t that right, ma’am? My name has never once appeared in the dorm supervisor’s notes!”
Her initially measured objection gradually grew heated as emotion crept in.
“I’m sorry. Either way, I just want you to double-check my account. There seems to be some misunderstanding.”
Ivey quickly adjusted her tone.
“Ivey, this is no misunderstanding. And certainly not an error.”
“What?”
“Ivey, I’m quite sure I explained this when you said you’d take on the Dormitory Prefect role.”
She had heard it.
To conduct yourself properly “as a prefect.”
“I have never done anything shameful as a prefect.”
Ivey held her head up firmly.
“Really? Then what do you make of the unusually high number of demerits in the Third Dormitory?”
“That’s because……!”
She told herself it was simply that she lived with distinctly different students under one roof.
Well, differences deserved respect. Besides, interfering wouldn’t change those kids anyway.
“They’re just enjoying school life in their own ways.”
“Have you ever bothered to truly look at what those ways are?”
“Good heavens, ma’am! Surely you’re not suggesting my Conduct Score was deducted because I failed to look after them?”
“I’m glad you understood so well.”
Ivey stared directly at Bennett’s face. She mulled over the utterly incomprehensible exchange.
Though it certainly didn’t make her nod in agreement.
“This is unfair!”
“Having the opportunity to earn a higher score than others comes with responsibility to match.”
“You never said the prefect was supposed to be a babysitter!”
“Help students in difficulty adjust to school life — that’s how I’d phrase it. That’s the Dormitory Prefect’s duty.”
“That makes no sense. That means…….”
If Ivey hadn’t become Dormitory Prefect, she would have placed first.
That honest Cyrus would have had his Conduct Score deducted for violating Lights Out Time several times.
Ivey could only manage exclamations, unable to form a proper response.
What is this? How can something this ridiculous even happen?
What kind of school burdens students with this much responsibility?
“I was never properly explained this.”
“According to the dorm supervisor’s notes, she warned you several times.”
As Bennett’s stylus tapped the tablet several times, the screen shifted to excerpts from a report.
It was clearly prepared beforehand to show Ivey.
…….
After reading this, Ivey had nothing to say.
The teacher’s point was accurate.

The dorm supervisor had suggested it to Ivey several times, trying to remind her of her role.
But Ivey had…….

She had refused point-blank.
She hadn’t thought it was the wrong thing to say.
But there was a blind spot. Ivey herself bore responsibility for the path she had chosen — that of Dormitory Prefect.
“Don’t blame yourself. Do you remember what the headmaster said at the entrance ceremony? The school hopes you all will experience as many mistakes as possible.”
…….
“There is nothing more precious than the experience of correcting something. Isn’t there?”
But ma’am, that’s for ordinary children! If I make a mistake here, my entire future is ruined!
Ivey swallowed the words hovering at the tip of her tongue.
“Yes, I understand.”
Ivey stood up from her seat with a deflated expression.
“Ivey. If the prefect duties feel too burdensome…….”
“……I won’t resign.”
Honestly, she wanted to resign, but she thought that would be irresponsible. It wasn’t something a princess would do, at least.
Though here, Ivey was not a princess.
“Actually, you could appoint a Vice Prefect to share the responsibility. The maximum score would then be 15 points, split between you two.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“Yes, it’s not a bad idea. Especially for the Third Dormitory. That place is rather special, after all.”
“You don’t need to soften it. No one disputes that the Third Dormitory has a bad reputation. In any case, thank you.”
Ivey offered a polite farewell and left the counselor’s office.
She was grateful for the information about the Vice Prefect, but truthfully it was never a consideration. The more tedious the task, the better to do it alone.
Group projects were disasters regardless.
* * *
After classes ended, Ivey returned to the dormitory and immediately set to work. First, she needed to remind everyone of the dormitory rules.
[Third Dormitory Living Rules for Everyone’s Score Improvement.]
Ivey wrote down the items that Third Dormitory students frequently violated, then plastered them with every meme circulating online.
An attempt to catch the eye of students whose brains had been soaked in dopamine and whose prefrontal cortex was beginning to atrophy.
It was the fruit of labor she’d invested across class time, breaks, and even lunch period today.
After requesting bulk printing from the print room, she gathered the materials and headed toward the Dormitory Hall.
After posting the rules on the bulletin board, she began distributing copies to the students scattered about.
“Hey, would you mind reading this for me?”
The response was…… well, lukewarm. Everyone was wondering why Ivey was doing this.
But it was a hurdle she had to clear for the score. Ivey steadfastly distributed the rules guide she’d made by hand.
“If anything seems unclear, message me anytime. See my personal account there?”
As she handed papers to students left and right, Ivey suddenly encountered something like a massive wall.
She had a bad feeling about it immediately.
When she looked up, sure enough…….
“Quinton.”
Ivey quickly steadied her furrowing brow. This wasn’t the time to deepen any emotional rifts.
If anything, a truce was what she needed now.
“Take this.”
Ivey handed him a copy of the rules as well.
“And I’m sorry about what happened this morning. I was wrong.”
“……What?”
“I do care about you.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————